What is Wrong with My Garage Door?

Winter weather frequently leads to power outages, which can put a garage door opener’s battery backup to the test.

A garage door sees plenty of use, often serving as the most frequently used entrance to a home. Many are connected to automatic openers, increasing the number of components that can potentially fail. Winter weather frequently leads to power outages, which can put a garage door opener’s battery backup to the test.

Simply getting a malfunctioning garage door to work again isn’t enough. Identifying the problem helps prevent future issues and ensures they don’t worsen over time. This post highlights some common garage door problems and provides insight into diagnosing them. If the issue remains unclear even after reading, reaching out to a garage door repair technician is always an option.

Garage Door Opener

This powerful yet increasingly complex equipment is crucial to a garage door’s functionality. If installed by a technician, a brief demonstration on how to operate it and utilize its features was likely provided. However, with so much information, key details may have been forgotten. When a garage door behaves oddly, the opener is often a good place to start troubleshooting.

Key components to check:

• Sensor

• Electric power sources

• Transmitter batteries

• Transmitter signal

• Motor

A blocked or disconnected garage door sensor will prevent the door from closing—a safety feature designed to avoid injuries. Power supply issues can also be a factor. If the unit appears dead, start with the most straightforward fix by checking the power cable. The fuse on the circuit breaker should also be examined. If the wall unit functions but the transmitter does not, replacing the transmitter batteries may resolve the issue. If fresh batteries don’t solve the problem, ensuring proper synchronization and configuration is the next step. The motor should also be inspected to confirm it is connected and that its gears are intact.

Garage Door Hardware

The hardware that secures the garage door to the wall and connects it to the opener is equally important. Though these components appear stationary and durable, they require maintenance and eventual replacement.

Key hardware to inspect:

• Torsion or extension spring

• Cables

If the garage door opener runs but the door remains stationary, a problem with the springs could be the culprit. Most modern garage doors rely on torsion springs mounted directly above the door against the wall. Older configurations may use extension springs positioned along both sides of the door. Torsion springs twist and untwist to move the door, while extension springs stretch and contract to achieve the same function. When these springs break, the door will no longer move. A broken spring is easy to spot, but replacing it is a serious task. Improper handling of garage door springs can lead to severe injury or even death. Professional assistance from a garage door repair technician is strongly recommended for any spring-related repairs.